Coming soon
17 Oct 2025 - 17 May 2026

Hare and Tortoise

by Brendan Murray

The Hare and the Tortoise – a timeless tale with a fresh twist 

 

Two unlikely friends — the speedy, confident Hare and the calm, steady Tortoise — meet for the greatest race on Earth. A race filled with suspense, surprises, and a nail-biting, medal-winning finish. 

Ready… Steady… Is it time to GO? 

This playful and imaginative adaptation of Aesop’s classic fable is brought to life on stage in a vibrant performance. With three talented actors, musicians and a whole lot of energy, the story unfolds across the seasons — from the blossoming days of spring, through the fun of summer, to the icy sparkle of winter. 

Guided by our storyteller, this heartwarming tale explores patience, friendship, and what it means to grow up. 

Tutti Frutti Productions brings you this much-loved story brimming with fun, live music, unforgettable songs, and delightful characters. The Hare and the Tortoise is touring autumn 2025, bringing joy to families and children aged 3+.  

‘The real pleasure here is the touchingly drawn friendship between the over excitable Hare and the careful and methodical Tortoise’ 
– The Guardian 

‘Young audiences deserve the very best and here they get it’  

– The Stage 

 

Tour Dates

17 Oct 2025

Hare and Tortoise

The Carriageworks
20 Oct 2025

Hare and Tortoise

Princess Alexandra Auditorium
21 Oct 2025

Hare and Tortoise

Stannington Infant School
22 Oct 2025

Hare and Tortoise

Stocksbridge Nursery Infant School
23 Oct 2025

Hare and Tortoise

Tupton Primary and Nursery Academy
25 Oct 2025

Hare and Tortoise

Jarrow Focus Library
28 Oct 2025
-
28 Oct 2025
30 Oct 2025

Hare and Tortoise

Brentwood Theatre
31 Oct 2025

Hare and Tortoise

The Albany Theatre
1 Nov 2025

Hare and Tortoise

Half Moon Theatre
2 Nov 2025

Hare and Tortoise

Lakeside Arts, University of Nottingham
4 Nov 2025

Hare and Tortoise

Green Hill Primary School, Leeds
5 Nov 2025

Hare and Tortoise

Harehills School, Shine Building, Leeds
6 Nov 2025

Hare and Tortoise

Pickering Infant and Nursery School
7 Nov 2025
-
8 Nov 2025

Hare and Tortoise

The Alnwick Playhouse
9 Nov 2025

Hare and Tortoise

Junction Goole
13 Nov 2025

Hare and Tortoise

Seacroft Grange Primary School, Leeds
14 Nov 2025

Hare and Tortoise

Shakespeare Primary School and Nursery, Leeds
15 Nov 2025
16 Nov 2025

Hare and Tortoise

Skipton Town Hall
26 Nov 2025

Hare and Tortoise

Dore Primary School
27 Nov 2025

Hare and Tortoise

Holy Rosary and St Anne’s Catholic Primary School
30 Nov 2025

Hare and Tortoise

Ropetackle Arts Centre

Creative Team

Brendan Murray

Writer

In a career of over 45 years (he’s that old!) Brendan has been an actor, director, teacher and writer. His plays for young people have been produced all over the world and won both the Brian Way and WGGB award (twice!) – once for the original version of Hare & Tortoise.

Wendy Harris

Artistic Director, Chair of PYA England

Wendy has held the position of artistic director at Tutti Frutti since 2005, touring nationally and internationally, co-producing the Little Feet Festival of Children’s Theatre, and leading on the development programmes and arts engagement work.

Catherine Chapman

Set and Costume Designer Catherine has been a freelance designer for over fifteen years. Her designs have travelled the world with audiences seeing her work in Toyko, New York and Kong Hong. She first worked with Tutti Frutti in 2005 and over the years has designed many shows for the company including Ugly Duckling, Rapunzel, Hare and Tortoise, Monday’s Child, and The Princess and The Pea.

Sara Burns

Lighting Designer

Sara Burns is of Nordic descent and is a Lighting Designer working within the theatre, television and live production industry. Recent theatre includes; Olivier nominated 10 Nights Graeae/Tamasha/Bush Theatre; Hello and Goodbye (Athol Fugard/York Theatre Royal) Previous work for Tutti Frutti includes; Yellow is the Colour of Sunshine; The Boy Who Cried Wolf; Rapunzel. Sara also lectures in technical theatre design and specialises in textures and invoking the emotion beyond the light.

Dominic Sales

Composer

Dom loves writing music, playing music, recording music and listening to music. He has written music for lots of different people, from Atomic Kitten to Opera North and the BBC to a feature film starring John Rhys-Davies. Dom is director/producer for the record label Jellymould Jazz and also plays the triangle.

Calum Clark

Production Manager

Calum is an experienced production and technical stage manager who has toured nationally and internationally with Tutti Frutti since 2016. Other escapades include Wrongsemble’s Not So… trilogy (Leeds), Archipelago Arts’ Mother Of The Revolution (Leeds) and numerous site specific projects with Slung Low (Hull, Sheffield, Manchester).

Carly Blackburn

Carly is a Movement Director, Choreographer and Yoga teacher. With over 15 experience as a Professional Dancer (London Studio Centre 2006 -2009).

Recent work: ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’, Choreographer, Secret Cinema, Doctor Who: Time Fracture' West end, Movement Director, BBC/Immersive Everywhere, 'National Theatre Connections 2021' workshop Movement facilitator and ‘Swallows & Amazons’, Movement Director, York Theatre Royal.

Rachel Dean

Bradford City of Culture – Producing Hub Artist

Rachel is a Choreographer, Movement Director, Performer and Facilitator/Teacher with 18 years professional experience in a wide variety of contexts in Leeds/Bradford, across the UK and in Europe. She is also Artistic Director of Speedwell Dance and works freelance on other projects.

Information for Families

We create shows especially for children aged 3+ and their families and carers

Are you looking to introduce your children to the magic of live theatre? Find out where to see our shows, what to expect when you see a show, and how we can support your child’s learning through live performance.

Information for Families

Information for Venues, Schools & International

Information for Venues, Schools & International

Schools

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Venues

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International

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Schools

We create our shows to be easily transferred and enjoyed in a school setting.
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Venues

Would you like to bring a Tutti Frutti show to your venue? Find out more in this section.
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International

We are proud to have previously toured to America, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Poland.
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